Calday Grange Grammar School 11 plus: parents' guide for 2022

Calday Grange Grammar School was founded in 1636 in West Kirby on the Wirral peninsula. With 1,400 pupils on roll, Calday Grange Grammar School is the largest grammar school in the region and welcomes pupils from more than 60 different primary schools each year.

The school has an extensive extra-curricular programme. Sport and music are particularly thriving; Calday Grange was ranked 7th in the country for its school sport in 2019 and the school is a member of Music Mark – the UK’s subject association for music education. The school’s commitment to its extra-curricular programme is evident in its list of notable former students, which includes several sportsmen and musicians.

11 plus information for Calday Grange Grammar School

• Address: Calday Grange Grammar School, Grammar School Lane, Newton, West Kirby, Birkenhead, Wirral CH48 8GG

• County: Merseyside

• Admissions contact: [email protected], 01516 252727

• School type: Boys’ grammar

• Number of pupils: 1,400

• Number of places in Year 7: 210

• Open day date: Tours take place on the third Wednesday of each month. Submit a visit form here.

• 11 plus exam dates: Monday 19th September 2022

• Exam board type: GL Assessments

Calday Grange Grammar School term dates

The term dates for Calday Grange Grammar School in 2022-23 are:

• Autumn term: 2nd September – 20th December

• Half term: 24th – 31st October

• Spring term: 5th January – 31st March

• Half term: 20th – 24th February

• Summer term: 18th April – 19th July

• Half term: 29th May – 2nd June

Admissions process for Calday Grange Grammar School

Calday Grange Grammar School operates a joint admissions process with West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Wirral Grammar School for Girls. This admissions process is managed by Wirral Council.

There are 210 places available for Year 7 boys at Calday Grange Grammar School in 2023. Children who attain the qualifying score in the 11 plus exam (taken at a testing centre on 19th September 2022) will be eligible to be considered for admission. If you would like to register your child for the test, we recommend visiting Calday Grange Grammar School first on one of its available Wednesday tours to make sure that it is the right choice for your child.

Children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which names Calday Grange Grammar School will be admitted to the school. If more boys reach the required standard than there are places at the school, children in the following categories will be offered a place in order:

1. Looked after children or previously looked after children

2. Children with a valid medical or social reason that is supported in writing by a doctor/social worker/another professional person

3. Up to 15 places for children on Free School Meals who achieve the qualifying score in rank order of the shortest walking distance from the school

4. Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of admission

5. Preference will be given to children with the shortest walking distance from the school

What is the catchment area for Calday Grange Grammar School?

Calday Grange Grammar School does not have a defined catchment area. The school welcomes pupils from all areas of the Wirral peninsula as well as Chester, North Wales, Liverpool and Warrington.

How to apply for Calday Grange Grammar School

Applications to Year 7 at Calday Grange Grammar School are managed by Wirral Council. If you would like to register your son for the 11 plus assessment, you will need to complete the online registration form between 1st May and 31st May 2022.

Following the results of the 11 plus test and by 31st October 2022, you will need to complete a Local Authority admissions form, naming Calday Grange Grammar School as your preference. If you are a resident within the Wirral Local Authority, this can be done on the Wirral Council website.

When is the Calday Grange Grammar School 11 plus exam taken?

Registration for the 11 plus test at Calday Grange Grammar School opened on Sunday 1st May and will close on Tuesday 31st May 2022. The 11 plus exam will be taken at a test centre on 19th September 2022.

Parents can expect to receive the results of the assessment on around 21st October 2022. If you receive confirmation that your child is eligible for a place, you will then have time to complete your Local Authority school preference form (or Common Application Form) before the national deadline of 31st October 2022.

Calday Grange Grammar School 11 plus exam format

The 11 plus exam for Calday Grange Grammar School will consist of two papers, both provided by GL Assessment. These papers will take around an hour each (including time in which the invigilator will read out instructions) and will include questions on verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and maths. Note that this is a change from CEM – the provider from 2019 and previous years.

So that children are not disadvantaged because of their date of birth, the score for the tests is adjusted to take into account each child’s age in years and months to determine a Standardised Age Score (SAS). The test scores from both papers are then added together, and children who have reached the qualifying score (normally the score of the 210th child, ranked in order from highest to lowest) will be deemed eligible for a place.

Join Atom's free specialist Grammar School Preparation webinars, and learn how to structure the next few months to maximise your child's progress:

How to prepare for the Calday Grange Grammar School 11 plus

It's best to start preparing as early as possible for the 11 plus exam at Calday Grange Grammar School to give your child the maximum amount of time to master the Key Stage 2 core curriculum before the exam.

A good way to prepare is to practice as many questions as possible in the format of the GL exams. Carrying out mock tests helps students practice answering questions under pressure and improve their exam technique and time management.

Atom Nucleus has unlimited mock exams that replicate the 11 plus exam at Calday Grange Grammar School:

There is also a familiarisation guide on the Wirral Council website, which takes pupils through the types of questions they may be asked.

We can help

At Atom Learning, we have over 90,000 teacher-written practice questions and unlimited mock tests that mirror the format and structure of the 11 plus exam at Calday Grange Grammar School. We also offer live exam prep courses and lessons to help build their skills in a friendly, encouraging, and interactive way.

You can start your 5-day free trial of Atom Nucleus today to ensure your child is fully confident and prepared for the 11 plus.

We know how crucial this time is, so our team is on hand to support you and your family every step of the way. You can book a call with one of our Education Experts to ask any questions you may have about the GL Assessments 11 plus or Calday Grange Grammar School:

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